Tampa Bay thought it knew what it was getting when aggressively pursuing free agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson — a top receiver who could not only stretch the field but would make the tough catches.

Jackson did that and gave the Bucs more — a strong leader in the room to teach the team’s young receivers how to be a professional when it comes to studying and taking care of their bodies. He also provided career highs with 72 catches for 1,384 yards and he added eight touchdowns. His 19.2 yards per catch led the NFL in 2012.

Now, he’s going to Hawaii.

Named a Pro Bowl alternate, Jackson is now going to Hawaii after Detroit’s Calvin Johnson pulled out because of an injury.

It is Jackson’s third Pro Bowl selection and second straight. It is also the first time the Bucs have had a Pro Bowl receiver since Keenan McCardell in 2003 and just the team’s fourth time overall.